Coughing and wheezing are symptoms, signs that your upper respiratory tract is either blocked, infected or irritated. Coughing and wheezing can make life miserable for you when they prevent you from getting a good night’s rest and can make you tired and irritable.
Home remedies for wheezing and coughing can help to ease the symptoms but are not a substitute for medical treatment. Before attempting any home remedies for your coughing and wheezing you should consult your doctor to ascertain the underlying cause. In case of a serious condition such as asthma, emphysema or pneumonia, you will require medical treatment. Your doctor will also provide you with information on how to deal with coughing and wheezing that is caused by your condition.
Steps that you can take to ease your symptoms include:
- Use a humidifier in your home at all times. This will help to prevent any phlegm formed from becoming too thick and blocking your airways.
- Drink plenty of water so as to keep well hydrated for the same reasons.
- Using a hot steam shower will also help you to keep your airways clear.
- Drink a hot cup of ginger tea before going to bed. Ginger acts as an expectorant and will help to eliminate phlegm from your throat. Ginger candy can have a similar effect.
- Massage your throat and chest with a mixture of eucalyptus and menthol oils. The fumes from these oils will help keep your airways clear and allow you to breathe more easily. At the same time, place a warm, wet towel over your chest for half an hour. Afterwards, take a hot shower to rinse off the oil.
- Taking a tbsp. of wild cherry bark syrup can help you to expectorate and stop the wheezing.
- Drink a cup of hot peppermint tea. This will soothe your throat and help to suppress your cough.
- Over-the-counter medicines such as Primatene can help relax your bronchial muscles and provide relief from the wheezing and coughing.
- If you suffer from asthma or another respiratory condition, your doctor may prescribe an inhaler containing a bronchodilator such as albuterol.
- If you are a smoker you should stop as it will further aggravate your symptoms. In cases of severe respiratory distress, smoking can lead to severe complications.
answered by G M